Much progress has undoubtedly been made in the Mediterranean in terms of reversing environmental pressures, thanks to the long-standing, collective efforts of all types of stakeholders, with the EU being a key major driver. Climate action, water security and biodiversity restoration are key priorities of the EU, being at the core of the European Green Deal. The EU is indeed a global leader, including in its Southern Neighbourhood.

However, the vast and culturally rich Mediterranean with its diverse landscapes, historical significance, and varied mix of coastal countries still faces significant challenges that are exacerbated by human activities.

The “Water and Environment Support – Biodiversity and Climate Action (WES-BCA) in the Neighbourhood South region” project aims to improve the protection of the environment, the restoration of biodiversity and the management of scarce water resources, while enhancing the resilience of the Mediterranean region to climate change, strengthening the formulation and enforcement of the relevant policies of the Partner Countries and the two regional policy frameworks, namely the Union for the Mediterranean (UfM) and the Barcelona Convention.

It furthermore aims to raise awareness of climate and environmental matters amongst the population, with a view to promote a better understanding of these matters but also activate behavioural change.

MIO-ECSDE is one of the key WES-BCA consortium members and will be in charge of Component II of the project that focuses on Communication and Outreach with emphasis on Climate Action.

Find more information about WES-BCA here

  • Level of completion 5% 5%

The purpose of WES-BCA is to: i) enhance the capacity of various stakeholders involved in pollution prevention and reduction, protection of biodiversity and water resources management, in order to support them in formulating and/or implementing the corresponding policies and ii) raise awareness, increase knowledge and improve public understanding, stimulating behavioural changes needed for appropriate climate action and environmental protection.

It builds on the experience gained by its predecessor projects (WES, 2019-2024; SWIM-H2020 SM, 2016-2019; SWIM SM, 2010-2015; and CB/MEP, 2009-2014).

The project will be implemented through two complementary, closely related and mutually supportive Components: Component I – focusing on Water, Biodiversity and Environment and Component II – focusing on Communication and Outreach with emphasis on Climate Action.

Component I focuses on:

  • Topic 1: Prevention & Reduction of Pollution
  • Topic 2: Curbing Plastic Pollution & Marine Litter
  • Topic 3: Promoting the Water-Energy-Food-Ecosystems (WEFE) Nexus approach
  • Topic 4: Promotion of water efficiency at all steps and levels of water management and use
  • Topic 5: Climate Change mitigation and adaptation actions, including Water Scarcity and Biodiversity protection as priorities

16 national activities across the 8 Partner Countries will take place, while at the regional level some 11 study tours, regional trainings and on-line capacity building actions will be organized.

Under Component IΙ, an Outreach Strategy will be developed and outreach and communication campaigns will be rolled out, targeting specific target groups. Regional networks of climate change/environmental champions will be activated and supported, promoting people-to-people outreach, and local CSOs/NGOs will also be mobilised.

The expected outcomes of Component I are:

  • the relevant national regulatory frameworks in the field of pollution prevention and reduction are enhanced;
  • regional, sub-regional and cross-regional collaborations on enhanced environmental and biodiversity resources’ protection and management, are multiplied and strengthened;
  • the relevant national regulatory frameworks in the field of efficient water management are enhanced and enforced;
  • the efficient and sustainable use of water in urban and rural areas through capacity building are strengthened;
  • innovative approaches and successful practices in terms of pollution prevention and reduction, biodiversity protection and restoration, and efficient use of water are identified and promoted;

The expected outcomes of Component II (Communication and Outreach) are:

  • an outreach strategy focussed on environment and climate action, including water management is developed;
  • communication and outreach actions/campaigns, targeting youth and with a gender sensitive approach are implemented;
  • mobilisation of Civil Society, through dedicated capacity support to national/local CSOs and NGOs, and media, is enhanced;

regional and sub-regional networks of climate change/ environmental protection champions, promoting people-to-people outreach, are supported.

    Lead partner

    • LDK CONSULTANTS S.A. (Greece)

    Partners

    • Arab Network for Environment and Development (RAED) (Egypt)
    • Association of Cities and Regions for Sustainable Resource Management (ACR+) (Belgium)
    • CIHEAM – Mediterranean Agronomic Institute of Bari (CIHEAM Bari) (Italy)
    • Mediterranean Information Office for Environment, Culture and Sustainable Development (MIO–ECSDE) (Greece)
    • MedWaves, the Regional Activity Centre of UNEP/MAP for Sustainable Consumption and Production (Spain)

    Title: Water and Environment Support – Biodiversity and Climate Action (WES-BCA) in the Neighbourhood South region

    Funding instrument: ENI and NDICI – Global Europe

    Partner countries: Eight MENA countries

    Project duration: 36 months (November 2024 – November 2027)

    Project budget: € 7.000.000

    Share This